the OPEC MOMRDownload App free of charge! • Essential information on the oil market • 100+ interactive articles and tables detailing crude price movements, oil futures, prices and much more • Analysis of the world economy, world oil supply and demand • Compare data interactively and maximize information extraction OPEC Monthly Oil Market Report 12 June 2018 Feature article: World oil market prospects for the second half of 2018 Oil market highlights i Feature article iii Crude oil price movements 1 Commodity markets 9 World economy 12 World oil demand 32 World oil supply 44 Product markets and refinery operations 61 Tanker market 67 Oil trade 72 Stock movements 79 Balance of supply and demand 86 Cooperation: the tried and tested approach The nature of the oil industry means that it is often subject The ‘Declaration of Cooperation’ process may appear to be nov- to forces beyond any one individual stakeholder’s capacity to el; however, it should be borne in mind that it is in fact the modern control. Geopolitical events, natural catastrophes, technologi- manifestation of a faith in international cooperation that is intrinsic cal breakthroughs, to name a few; the history of the oil indus- to OPEC. As an intergovernmental organization, the Organization is try is laden with examples where unexpected events have had a strong supporter of the multilateral system. OPEC was registered Commentary huge ramifications. In recent years, this trend has appeared with the UN Secretariat as an inter-governmental organization on particularly acute. November 6, 1962, following UN Resolution No 6363. OPEC Secretary General, Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, ac- Throughout the following decades, OPEC has enjoyed an ex- knowledged this in his keynote address at the ‘Africa Oil and panding and productive relationship with the UN. This has been a Power Conference’, held in South Africa in early September. He priority for Barkindo since his appointment as Secretary General alluded to the fact that unexpected forces can often appear to in August 2016. have a trajectory of their own. In March 2017, the OPEC Secretary General met with the This can pose challenges for all stakeholders in the inter- newly appointed Deputy Secretary General of the UN, Amina national oil industry. OPEC often must navigate a path through Mohammed. This was an opportunity to discuss the broad spec- these complex challenges. Nevertheless, the Organization re- trum of issues on which the two entities collaborate. The Secretary mains unwavering in its commitment to its core aim: oil market General has also been involved in extensive, ongoing dialogue stability, which is integral to the interests of both producers and with Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework consumers. Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), who spoke recently at The fact remains that our world is highly interconnected and the 7th OPEC International Seminar. These talks have opened up globalized. This means that no one stakeholder can overcome ob- further possibilities for enhancing collaboration between OPEC stacles acting alone. Previous experience has shown that interna- and the UNFCCC on matters such as climate change, sustainable tional cooperation and dialogue between stakeholders, including development and economic diversification. consumers and producers, remains the most effective problem- OPEC is also committed to engaging in bilateral dialogue with solving mechanism, as well as the key conduit for knowledge consumers. Energy dialogues regularly take place with China, the exchange. European Union (EU) and India. The Secretary General will travel This is evidently the bedrock of the ‘Declaration of to New Delhi to participate in a range of engagements later in Cooperation’ process. OPEC Member Countries, working hand- October, which also includes the OPEC-India Energy Dialogue. in-glove with their non-OPEC partners, have taken action that Throughout the entire ‘Declaration of Cooperation’ process, OPEC has helped nurse the global oil industry back to a healthy state has solicited and sought to respond to the views of consumers. following the worst downturn in its history. It will continue to do so going forward. The Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) attest- So while critical uncertainties may constitute an important ed to this progress when it convened in Algiers, Algeria for its force in our industry, as the Secretary General said in South Africa, tenth meeting, on September 23, 2018. In its Press Release, the “there is another force alive and well in our industry. This force Committee noted that, “despite growing uncertainties surround- exists in the desire of producers, consumers and investors, ordi- ing market fundamentals, including the economy, demand and nary women and men throughout the world, to have sustainable supply, the participating producing countries of the ‘Declaration stability in the oil market. of Cooperation’ continue to seek a balanced and sustainably sta- “This force thrives in the hearts and minds of decision makers ble global oil market, serving the interests of consumers, produc- who know that cooperation, collaboration and team-work remain ers, the industry and the global economy at large. The Committee the most effective problem-solving techniques this industry or in- also expressed its satisfaction regarding the current oil market deed any industry knows. This force underpins the ‘Declaration of outlook, with an overall healthy balance between supply and Cooperation’ and encourages other stakeholders, many of whom demand.” are in this room, to lend their support to this noble cause.” Contents 4 22 JMMC 4 Celebrating cooperation: The 10th Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) in Algiers 18 Sonatrach begins implementation of its long-term strategy World Oil Outlook 22 OPEC launches World Oil Outlook 2018 in Algiers Spotlight 26 OPEC Secretary General meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin during Russia Energy Week 30 Africa oil and power conference 2018: driving Africa’s oil industry forward Award 36 Africa oil man of the year: Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo Forum 42 Secretary General’s mission to the UAE: The Conference Presidency continues to inspire Publishers OPEC Membership and aims OPEC OPEC is a permanent, intergovernmental Organization, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries established in Baghdad, on September 10–14, 1960, Helferstorferstraße 17 by IR Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. Its objective — to coordinate and unify petroleum policies 1010 Vienna among its Member Countries, in order to secure a steady Austria income to the producing countries; an efficient, economic Telephone: +43 1 211 12/0 OPEC bulletin OPEC and regular supply of petroleum to consuming nations; and Telefax: +43 1 216 4320 a fair return on capital to those investing in the petroleum Contact: Editor-in-Chief, OPEC Bulletin industry. Today, the Organization comprises 15 Members: Fax: +43 1 211 12/5081 Qatar joined in 1961; Libya (1962); United Arab Emirates E-mail: [email protected] (Abu Dhabi, 1967); Algeria (1969); Nigeria (1971); Angola Cover Website: www.opec.org (2007); Equatorial Guinea (2017). Ecuador joined OPEC in This month’s cover shows the Kremlin in 1973, suspended its Membership in 1992, and rejoined in nd Moscow, Russia. The 2 Russian Energy Week 2007. Indonesia joined in 1962, suspended its Membership Website: www.opec.org was held in Moscow in October (see story on on December 31, 2008, reactivated it on January 1, 2016, p26). Visit the OPEC website for the latest news and infor- but suspended its Membership again on December 31, mation about the Organization, and for back issues 2016. Gabon joined in 1975 and left in 1995; it reactivated of the OPEC Bulletin, which are available free of its Membership on July 1, 2016. The Republic of the Congo Vol XLIX, No 8, October 2018, ISSN 0474–6279 charge in PDF format. joined the Organization on June 22, 2018. 26 42 50 60 Shutterstock Russian Presidential Executive Office Executive Presidential Russian Forum 44 OPEC Secretary General talks energy outlooks in Madrid World Heritage Sites 50 A new World Heritage Site: the historical oasis of Al-Ahsa OPEC Fund News 60 Farewell luncheon for Suleiman Jasir Al-Herbish, Director-General, OFID Arts & Life 62 Missions for OPEC Vacancy Announcements 68 Job opportunities at the OPEC Secretariat Noticeboard 70 International industry events Market Review 71 Review of global economic development 72 MOMR … oil market highlights OPEC Publications 76 Secretariat officials Contributions Editorial staff Secretary General The OPEC Bulletin welcomes original contributions on Editor-in-Chief Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo the technical, financial and environmental aspects of Hasan Hafidh Director, Research Division all stages of the energy industry, as well as research Editor Mathew Quinn Dr Ayed S Al-Qahtani reports and project descriptions with supporting il- Head, Data Services Department Associate Editors lustrations and photographs. James Griffin, Mario Fantini Dr Adedapo Odulaja Scott Laury, Maureen MacNeill, printed according to the Austrian Ecolabel Head, PR & Information Department Editorial policy Contributors criteria for printed matter (UZ 24), Hasan Hafidh The OPEC Bulletin is published by the OPEC Ayman Almusallam, Basma Aribi Grasl Druck & Neue Medien GmbH, UW-Nr. 715 Head, Finance & Human Resources Department Production Secretariat (Public Relations and Information printed according to the Jose Luis Mora Diana Lavnick Department). The contents